Theatre Scholarships

Performance Scholarship

These scholarships are available to all first year students regardless of their intended major. We urge you to audition or interview if you feel you have the appropriate interest and experience. Performance Scholarships in Theatre are awarded to students who show potential in acting, design, or technical theatre.

Recipients receive:

  • $1,000 first year

  • $1,000 second year

  • $1,500 third year

  • $2,000 fourth year

Total award up to $5,500


Distinguished Performance Scholarships

Students with the best Performance Scholarship auditions/interviews will be eligible to compete for our Distinguished Performance Scholarships which range from awards of $3,000 up to full tuition for four years. To be considered for a Distinguished Performance Scholarship, a student must do an initial audition or interview by March 1st to be eligible for a final round of auditions and interviews in mid-March.

Total award between $12,000 and $88,680

Audition/Interview Guidelines

Acting Audition

  • Present two contrasting monologues not to exceed two minutes for each selection

    • Your choice of monologues can be from either modern or classical plays. Find a longer speech or blend several consecutive speeches of a character together.

    • A monologue should show off who you are. Choose roles in your age range that you could be cast in today.

    • Material should be thoroughly memorized and rehearsed with your theatre director if possible.

  • Be prepared to talk about your theatre experience and how you would like to be involved in theatre at Alma College.

Design/Technical Theatre Interview

  • Prepare a portfolio or chronological record of your theatre experience.

  • Include sketches, drawings, photos and programs, along with honors or awards received for design and/or execution of sets, costumes, or lights.

  • Include two letters of recommendation from people familiar with your technical skill and experience.


How to Apply

Send in the postage paid form you may have received in the mail stating your first and second choice date to audition or interview. For more information or to schedule an audition, please contact Professor Joe Jezewski, (989) 463-7262

We will call or e-mail you to confirm the date and time for your audition/interview.

To be considered for the Distinguished Performance Scholarship with awards from $3,000 to full tuition you must complete an audition/interview by March 1st. If you have any questions call or email Professor Joe Jezewski.

Students receiving Performance Scholarships and Distinguished Performance Scholarships do not have to major in theatre. However, they must participate in Alma College Theatre productions each term in either performance or technical work.

If you would like to visit our campus and attend a theatre class, please call the Admissions Office at (800)321-ALMA to make arrangements. If you would like to attend one of our productions, call our box office at (989)463-7304 and identify yourself as a prospective student interested in theatre.

 

Ninety-four percent of Alma College’s 2011 graduates reported working in full-time positions or attending graduate school within six months of graduation.

 

Graduate Profile

Kristin Bender-Polizzi

Kristin Bender-Polizzi
Graduation: 1995
Major: Dance

Since graduating from Alma College, Kristin Bender-Polizzi ’95 has co-founded the Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre in Florida. The dance company, which she manages, features about a dozen professionally trained dancers, including Bender-Polizzi herself.

“As a shy young girl, dance was a means of expressing myself,” she says. “I was always more comfortable speaking through movement than with my voice. I love that dance is a universal language open to so many interpretations.”